Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
A method for gasifying or combusting solid carbonaceous material, utilizing a circulating fluidized bed reactor having a gas discharge, and an agglomerating chamber operatively connected to the gas discharge, comprising the steps of: (a) separating coarse particles from gas in the gas discharge from the reactor, while passing the gas downstream from the reactor; (b) after step (a), separating fine particles from the gas passing downstream; (c) at least partially combusting the fine particles separated in step (b) and combining them, or ash produced from the combustion thereof, with the coarse particles separated in step (a), by forming a bubbling fluidized bed in a lower part of the agglomerating chamber, and combusting the fine particles primarily above the bubbling fluidized bed; and (d) returning the combined particles from step (c) to a lower part of the reactor.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
137 words
A method for gasifying or combusting solid carbonaceous material, utilizing a circulating fluidized bed reactor having a gas discharge, and an agglomerating chamber operatively connected to the gas discharge, comprising the steps of: (a) separating coarse particles from gas in the gas discharge from the reactor, while passing the gas downstream from the reactor; (b) after step (a), separating fine particles from the gas passing downstream; (c) at least partially combusting the fine particles separated in step (b) and combining them, or ash produced from the combustion thereof, with the coarse particles separated in step (a), by forming a bubbling fluidized bed in a lower part of the agglomerating chamber, and combusting the fine particles primarily above the bubbling fluidized bed; and (d) returning the combined particles from step (c) to a lower part of the reactor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method as recited in claim 1, wherein step (c) is practiced by forming a flame in the agglomerating chamber adjacent the top thereof, the flame extending downwardly to a point that is disposed in the bubbling fluidized bed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method as recited in claim 2, wherein step (c) is further practiced by forming the flame by introducing oxygen containing gas and fine particulates into close proximity with each other adjacent the top of the agglomerating chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as recited in claim 3, comprising the further step of cooling the separated coarse particles before feeding them to the agglomerating chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as recited in claim 3, comprising the further step of recovering heat from the flowing gas between steps (a) and (b).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as recited in claim 1, comprising the further step of recovering heat from the flowing gas between steps (a) and (b).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as recited in claim 1, comprising the further step of cooling the separated coarse particles before feeding them to the agglomerating chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as recited in claim 2 wherein step (c) is further practiced by forming a flame at a temperature of greater than about 1200° C.